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Bha mi 'n raoir san taigh-òsta
Air a sheinn le Màiri Nic a' Ghobhainn
Bha mi'n raoir san taigh-òsta
‘S fleasgach bòidheach leam ann
Mi nam shuidhe ann an cathair
B'e sud m'aighear 'san àm
Gun do dh'òl e mo shlàinte
‘S gun do phàigh e mo dhràm
Sud a làmh gheal mu m' mhuineal
Sud an t-suirigh bha trang
Sud an t-suirigh bha agam
‘S aig fear a' chùil bhàin
Do dhà liath-shùil gam mhealladh
Gruaidh thana mar ròs
Beul milseanach meachair
Mar chailc gheal gun stòr
Aghaidh shoilleir 's glan dearrsadh
Ann an sgàthan na neòil
‘S ged a chunnaic mi'm bàta
Cha do dh'aidich mi rithist
Gu robh mise fo phràmh dheth
Agus iadsan fo mhisg
Iad ag òl mo dheoch-sl`åinte
Gus mo rèiteach gun fhiosd
‘S thug mise dùbhlan dha mo chàirdean
Nach tàthainn-sa ris
Mìle marphaisg air a' mhulad
‘S minig a chunnaic neach riamh
‘S trom a ràinig e m'aigne
Fear nach fhaca neach riamh
Oigear donn a' chùil dhathtaich
Chuir an t-saighead nam chliabh
Sud, a Rìgh, 's gun mi làmh riut
Ann am fàsach nan smeur
Chan ionann deirgead is gilead
Chan ionann uighean is eòin
Chan ionann pònair is peasair
Tha diofair eadar gach pòr
Dè mar dh'aithnicheadh tu'n deas-bhean
Gun bhith greis air a tòir?
‘S a liuthad cron a dh'fhaoidt' fhalach
Fo phleatan a còt -
I spent last night in the tavern
As sung by Mary Smith
English interpretation of lyrics:
I spent last evening in the tavern
Happy in the company of a handsome young man
His charm and generosity knew no bounds (lit. “he bought my dram”)
As his white hand caressed my neck
And his wooing became intense
Such was the flattering attention I received from my fair-haired suitor
That I was easily deceived by his azure-blue eyes
Those lean rosy cheeks, that sweet-talking mouth
With its perfect, chalk-white teeth
And that flawless, radiant face
Although I did see the boat
I didn't confess my sorrow and dejection
While those around me caroused (lit. “were under the influence”)
Unbeknown to me they celebrated my marriage contract
But I defied my family's (OR FRIENDS’) wishes
And refused to accept him
A thousand curses on sorrow –
It is so often thus
This unknown man has completely beguiled me
Youthful lover of the coloured locks
Whose arrow has pierced my breast
I'd give anything to be by your side
In a wilderness of brambles
There's a world of difference between red and white
Between eggs and birds
And between beans and peas
There's diversity in all things
How then can you tell a good woman
Unless you court her over a period of time
Outward appearance can be deceptive (lit: “many things could be hidden from/beneath the pleats of her coat”)
Credits
- Singer
- Mary Smith
- Actor
- Martin Compston
